Did you know that there is a Japanese fine-dining restaurant in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray? What used to be the Club Lounge, next to Imperium has been tastefully revamped into Tori Tori. We drove down the West Crescent in the Palm Jumeirah one Friday evening for a much awaited date night.
An evening, to review their newly launched Tanoshi Brunch. Here’s how it went.
Tori Tori : The Venue
When you are looking for words to describe the dining spaces in Jumeirah Zabeel Saray – you’ll think of words like glamorous, luxurious, elegant.
This is the same for Tori Tori.
High ceilings, extravagant chandeliers, glass cladded columns. There’s a black grand piano on a raised stage right in front. On the wall behind, you will find black and white portraits of legends from the musical world – Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra and many more.
For a subtle Japanese touch, there are sakura trees, and japanese umbrellas (wagasa) hanging from the ceilings.
It’s somewhere you get dressed up for. And definitely a place to save for a date night.
Tanoshi Brunch : Izakaya Sharing-Style
Every Friday evening from 7pm, Tori Tori does Tanoshi Brunch.
The menu has been carefully curated – to include traditional izakaya-style dishes with – an extra ‘Dubai’ touch 😉 You know what I’m talking about – that’s where the dry ice, and extravagant sushi and sashimi platters come in 🙂
Highlights for us include yakitori (boneless chicken wings, with togarashi soya garlic) , gyoza (gotta be wagyu, right?), and of course – the showstopper platter, which I would mention included Dibba oysters, as well as unagi (eel) maki rolls.
You get to choose one main – and I went with the black angus steak, and my husband, the miso black cod, of course. They do have a vegan katsu curry for the vegans. I’m always curious as to how these meal alternatives taste like. Maybe I’ll come back, just to try it 😉
Drinks, to include Lyre’s Spirits
A special mention here, that Lyre’s Spirits is served as part of the non-alcoholic selection. Possibly the first time (and hopefully not the last) seeing this being served in a brunch. We tried the dark cane with coke, which is very much like its alcoholic counterpart – rum and coke. Served in the same short glass with a slice of lemon, you probably don’t even realise it’s non-alcoholic. Loved it.
The kanaria cocktail was served in a canary-shaped glass. Super cute. They also had other cocktails such as Japanese Rhythm, and Tori Negoni. Note that sake and Asahi beer is included in the house package, priced at 490 AED, whereas you can opt for bubbly for 620 AED.
Jazz on Piano
There was live music all evening, and we loved that it started from the get-go, at 7pm. The very elegant Sandra Stefanova was on the grand piano, playing the jazz versions of Killing me Softly, to my very favourite – Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, amongst many more.
A Romantic Date Night
Tori Tori in the evenings is a really romantic venue for a date night. Tanoshi Brunch is definitely one to do if you want the best of what’s on the menu. Coupled with the live music, it does make it a unique experience. Go with another couple, or book it for a birthday celebration. Cocktails, Lyre’s mocktails, izakaya dishes and jazz 😉
- Tanoshi Brunch at Tori Tori
- Every Friday 7-11pm
- 390 AED Soft | 490 AED House & Sake | 620 AED bubbly
- Details on Jumeirah’s website
Disclaimer :
- We were guests of Jumeirah Zabeel Saray to review Tanoshi Brunch at Tori Tori.
- This review was done is October 2023. Please check current details on Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s website.